Minutes of the Extraordinary Planning Applications Committee held on Wednesday 15th July 2019 at 6:30pm in Courtroom 2, the Old Courthouse, Jaycroft Rd, Burnham-on-Sea
Present: Cllrs Andy Brewer – Chairman, Peter Clayton, Rich Gardiner-White, Bill Hancock, Helen Groves, Sue Harvey, Louise Parkin and Nick Tolley
Also present: Lorna Williams – Clerk to the Committee, Cllr Janet Keen, 4 members of the public and 3 representatives of the press.
30/19/PC Apologies for non-attendance
All present
31/19/PC Declarations of Interest
None.
Public Speaking Time
Cllr. Janet Keen spoke on application 52/19/001 regarding the poor minimal widths of the highways on the development.
32/19/PC Members considered the following application
52/19/001 Location: Land at, Brue Farm, Huntspill Road, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3DE
Proposal: Hybrid (full and outline) application for the erection of 171 dwellings together with associated infrastructure, including provision of roundabout and public open space and seeking outline permission with all matters reserved for the erection of a primary school.
Case Officer: Dawn de Vries
Applicant: BDW Trading Ltd
Members considered the amended application for 171 houses whereby the outline consent had already been granted and the application was to change the style of some houses and also increase access measurements to road junctions so that buses and service vehicles could more easily turn. Members reviewed their previous observations, but none had been addressed.
The case officer had been contacted to ask why the school’s location had been moved from its original more central location within the development. The response was ‘to allow early delivery of school places and to meet the need for education provision. In the approved location further within the site the delivery of school places would be stalled due to delays in the build out of the outline application.’ The approved site ‘outline permission’ for the school is currently in the central location.
Comment: Members Objected to the outline application for the school on the following grounds:-
Road Safety – the proposed access directly to / from the A38 Main Road, which is a major arterial road, is likely to lead to traffic congestion around school start and finish times thus presenting a significant road safety issue caused by cars stopped or parked on both sides of the road when parents are dropping off / picking up children.
Health and Wellbeing – the proposed location of the school is likely to suffer from reduced air quality due to its close proximity to the A38 Main Road, particularly when the A38 is very congested. This will have an adverse effect on children’s health causing asthma etc.
The committee feel that the original section 106 agreement relating to the school does not prevent an early delivery of the school therefore the original location is still the preferred location.
Access via sustainable transport – considering that the catchment area for the new school is likely to include Highbridge the original proposed location on the East side of the development would be more appropriate for pedestrian and cycle access.
We agree with the comments of the Parks and Open Spaces Officer that development does not appear to comply with the requirements for Local Areas for Play and Local Equipped Areas for Play.
However, members accepted the main application in principle as the layout and density is consistent with previously consented phases. The development appears to be complying with the parking standards but members would like to see additional provision for visitor parking.
Overall the Town Council is objecting to this application.
11/19/069 Location: 7 Brent Broad, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2PX
Proposal: Variation of Condition 2 of Planning Permission 11/19/00006 (Demolition of existing cottage and the erection of 3no. dwellings with associated garages, parking, landscaping and amenity space) to amend the approved plans to reposition plots 2 and 3 away from line of mains sewer.
Case Officer: Liam Evans
Applicant: Wilkins Micawber Ltd.
Comment: No Observation, provided that there is suitable provision for bin storage within the development
11/19/070 Location: 15 Eastleigh Close, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2EW
Proposal: Erectionof single storey extension to rear (north east) elevation (existing conservatory to be demolished)
Case Officer: Denise Todd
Applicant: Mr & Mrs Harris
Comment: No Observation
33/19/PC Correspondence from the Clerk
There was none to report
34/19/PC Date of next meeting: Members noted that the next meeting of this Committee would be held on Monday 5th August 2019 at 7pm, The Old Courthouse, Jaycroft Road, Burnham-on -Sea. The Chairman closed the meeting at 19.00